Sterring RacK Repl = Major P.I.T.A. ! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

camrodv6 · 11-29-2003, 08:00 PM

Spent the good part of today replacing the leaking rack & pinion steering on the wife's 95 Camry V6. What a pain in the a$$! Haynes said it comes out the right side...not true. It also helps to remove the rear O2 sensor as it will interfere with the rack's external piping. The new rack was a reman'd unit from the Toyota dealer. The only issue with it was the right side mount is not cast into the rack like the left side. (The old one was made the same way.) The little sleeve inside the clamp didn't line up to allow the bolt to pass all the way through so out came the rack to modify the clamp that holds the sleeve. Everything lined up after that. Tomorrow I will install the O2 senser, which will be a replacement Bosch Universal, bleed the system and road test.
I probably should have dropped the subframe to do this and I could have replaced the slightly leaky rear main seal at the same time. One thing for sure these front wheel drive cars can be a little more labor intensive!
Just thought I would post this in case someone out there was contemplating this repair. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Day!

JR
95 Camry V6

Nick · 11-29-2003, 09:48 PM

you're a brave man

CarLuvrSD · 12-01-2003, 02:55 PM

I have some questions.

I am contemplating repair to my steering rack on my 92 ES 300. Due to a PS fluid leak, the rubber bushing that the left side monting bolt goes through appears to have deteriorated. That causes excessive play and needs to be fixed. Money is tight for me right now, so I want to keep repair costs as low as possible. The least expsensive rebuilt rack is around $280, but their is a "seal Kit" listed for around $100 from Lexus.

Am I right that there is some sort of a rubber bushing or grommet on the left hand side? Do you remember? Since I haven't had the rack off, I cant see it. I'm just deducing that it must be there, or rather was, but has disolved. The retaining bolt is tight.

So how good is your memory?

CarLuvrSD · 12-01-2003, 03:00 PM

And if so: Do you think the little rubber grommet/bushing thingy is replaceable? Nothing on my rack leaks. The leak which caused many of my rubber parts to deteriorate came from a leaking power steering hose, which I replaced last spring. I hat to replace the whole rack when it isn't leaking.

camrodv6 · 12-01-2003, 07:28 PM

I just went out in the dark and pulled the old rack out of the back of the truck for a look. To me the left side bushing has a much more heavy duty steel sleeve with wide end flanges. I pulled on it and could not remove it by hand but if I were in your shoes I'd call the dealer and ask if that bushing is replacable and go from there.
I'll also try to look a little more closely tomorrow afternoon when I get home from work and the sun is shining (and no kids are wanting daddy's undivided attention)

JR

***EKam*** · 12-01-2003, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Oldman
you're a brave man

indeed.

Nick · 12-01-2003, 07:46 PM

well moreso that i wouldn't attempt it with what i have now, working on dirt/mud with basic tools

CarLuvrSD · 12-01-2003, 08:14 PM

Thanks, JR. Fill me in on what yah see in the daylight.

I don't have a very extensive collection of tools either. It does make all the repairs longer and more difficult. So does having that sub-frame in the way everytime I need to do someting. The power steering hoses were a nighmare too. I went out and bought some ramps since I did those. Ramps would have made it easier. I've had to replace my control arm bushings on the right side to, because of the PS leaks. The sway bar bushings need done next. I'll be doing them when I do the rack, whatever it is I decide to do about it. Moral of the story - fix leaks as soon as you notice them! The hoses were expensive, so I waited, bad choice. One hose goes to the radiator fan on my car, don't know if Camrys are same way. That one sqirted hot fluid all over the engine compartment on a trip to Phoenix last summer. What was a slow leak in cool weather became catastrophic in Phoenix's hot stop and go traffic. Lesson learned. I always thought fluid leaks could wait a while. Guess I was wrong.

***Your Uncle Moe*** · 12-02-2003, 06:47 PM

Hey ROd, I just had my Rack replaced in August and ever since my car turns a lil to the right especially when I brake on uneven roads or accellerate hard. I had at least 5 wheel alignments done from several different places. Could the rack be the cause of this problem? If so, what do I say to the next person that I have check it out? What should I point them to look for?

arcasmachineracing · 12-02-2003, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CarLuvrSD
That one sqirted hot fluid all over the engine compartment on a trip to Phoenix last summer. What was a slow leak in cool weather became catastrophic in Phoenix's hot stop and go traffic. Lesson learned. I always thought fluid leaks could wait a while. Guess I was wrong.

They can, but not in Arizona!

I am a resident Gilbert/Mesa/Higley ZONI. Did you enjoy your stay in HELL? :p Hot huh? Where'd ya go? Wha'd ya do?

Allright... nuff whoring from me and thanks to JR for the extra informative info, although if the same situation was upon me as Oldman essentially said, I would be a puss and take it to muh friends shop. :o